Opioid crisis remains 'hidden epidemic,' Fraser Health report finds

Eighty per cent of people who died from an illicit substance overdose in the Fraser Health area had received care in the emergency department at least once in the 12 months before their death, says a health authority report released on Monday.

Previous visits were not just for illicit drug overdose — most sought care for injury, trauma, back pain, alcohol overdose or mental health.

Close to 2,000 British Columbians have died of illicit drug overdoses since a public health emergency was